As a longtime fan of the Beasties, almost as far back as my first memories, I’ve been pretty excited about everything I’d been hearing and seeing up to this point. The album does more than simply not disappoint; it highlights both the B-Boys lyrical prowess and shows the progress of their musicianship. Unleashing musical styles from every incarnation — rock, punk, reggae, funk, psychedelic, soul, disco, electro — Hot Sauce Committee Part 2 isn’t simply a trip down memory lane, it’s an exploration of soundsystem dynamics and the inclusiveness of hip-hop that the Beastie Boys themselves helped to shape. On first listen, HSCP2 is the completely satisfying kind of Beastie Boys album I’ve been looking forward to hearing again for a while.

What I find most impressive: the progression of the tracks from beginning to end reveals an even edgier funk/punk philosophy that is as true to their roots as anything they’ve ever released. This morning’s livestream event gives everyone a first listen right on the home court of the New York Knicks as, what, a dis? No probably more like a swift kick in the ass telling them not to go out like punks against the Celtics.

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